The jury of the competition organized by Puls Medycyny evaluated candidates—scientists under the age of 40 for their scientific achievements, involvement in public activities, and their future development prospects and opportunities of influence on Polish medicine and healthcare system in the coming years. The results were published on June 16 of this year.
WUM awardees
Dr. hab. Mateusz Zawadka, DESAIC, EDIC
He took third place in the competition. He is a specialist in anesthesiology and intensive care and an assistant professor in the 2nd Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care at WUM (Medical University of Warsaw). His research interests focus on point-of-care ultrasound and medical education, including hemodynamic assessment, safety of central venous access, and transcranial ultrasound in hepatic encephalopathy.
Dr. hab. Mateusz Zawadka chaired a working group of the Polish Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy (PTAiIT), which developed key guidelines on central venous catheterization in critically ill patients between 2024 and 2026. As head of the Ultrasound and Echocardiography Section of PTAiIT (since 2024), he has been implementing an accreditation program in point-of-care ultrasound in anesthesiology and intensive care.
In 2026, he became the National Representative for Poland in the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM). Thanks to his activity within ESICM, WUM became one of seven European centers running a fellowship program in intensive care ultrasound.
He is also the supervisor of the ANKONA Student Scientific Association at the 2nd Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care at WUM.
Dr. Rafał Zadykowicz
He ranked fourth in the competition. He is a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology. His main interests include women’s rights, reproductive health, ethics and AI technologies in medicine.
He is an expert for international and national organizations that shape standards in women’s health, including the WHO, FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics), Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), and the Polish Ministry of Health. His medical perspective—based on dignity and shared decision-making in patient care—has been published and featured on the cover of The Lancet.
Dr. Rafał Zadykowicz is also the chair of the Psychosomatic Section of the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.
As Vice President of the World Association of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynecology and President of ENTOG (European Network of Trainees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology) Poland, he co-organized numerous European clinical exchange programs for residents.
He has received the title “Doctor of Empathy” and has been recognized for his partner-based approach, excellent communication, and attentiveness in everyday clinical care.